Second Language Teachers as Creative Writers Week 2.3

Second Language Teachers as Creative Writers

Alan Maley outlines the following benefits for teachers that partake in creative writing:

1. It provides a model for our learners. 
2. It develops our L1 resource. 
3. It makes us a more interesting person for our students. 
4. It makes us a better writing teacher. 

Malely, A. (2009).

I agree with most of the points above, but I would argue that there are many other equally effective ways to keep your L1 alive, i.e. talking to members of your L1 community via Skype, reading books, watching films etc. I also have to completely disagree with point 3, I have met lots of very interesting people who do not engage in creative writing or any creative activity for that matter. In fact, teachers who focus on their own creative writing might come across self-absorbed/obsessed which is not what we want in a student-centred language classroom. Maley, does admit that these conclusions are mainly 'anecdotal' and based on one survey from 2006, perhaps more objective research is needed here.

Who's got the time?

Another criticism would be that time is a very limited resource for teachers, we need to plan lessons, adapt materials, take part in observations, keep up to date with paper work, registers, test results, counsel our students, meet parents and of course, teach. With all these responsibilities, why should a teacher spend their time engaging in creative writing? Especially when there is a plentiful supply of authentic materials already online for learners to use as models.

One story for all your learners

That said, I do concede that students might be more interested in your story rather than a stranger's creation online. There is also the opportunity to personalise your stories to your students' interests or even include them as characters, so perhaps it is worth trying to overcome issues of time. This could be achieved by creating a specific blog for stories that can be used across a range of levels and contexts. The stories could be accompanied by differing levels of scaffolding or tasks for different groups. Just an idea.. no pressure.

References

Maley, A. (2009) Creative writing for language learners (and teachers), published in Teaching English 16 Dec, 2009 -15:41

Images

Alan Maley
http://tesolgreece.org/convention/keynote-speakers/
Viewed 15/2/16

Teacher time image
http://busyteacher.org/16320-teachers-dont-work-hard-enough-infographic.html
Viewed 15/2/16